Collections
About Special Collections
About Photograph Collections
UTSA Libraries Special Collections maintains several large photograph collections that are made available to the public through the Institute of Texan Cultures Library.
Harvey Belgin Photograph Collection, 1946-1980s
The Belgin photograph collection comprises original negatives and prints captured by Harvey Belgin, a photojournalist for the San Antonio Light and part-time commercial photographer in San Antonio from 1946 through the 1980s. It includes portraits, events, and buildings in San Antonio. It also showcases views of towns in South and Central Texas. There are approximately 23,000 images in this collection. Appointment required.
![[La Moderna Fruit Stand, 116 Produce Row, San Antonio, Texas], Ray Howell Photograph Collection, MS 354, UTSA Libraries Special Collections](http://lib.utsa.edu/files/default/Special%20Collections/Howell.jpg)
Ray Howell Photograph Collection, 1962-1969
Ray Howell was a commercial photographer in San Antonio from 1962 to 1969. The approximately 15,000 images in this collection were developed from original negatives and contact sheets shot by Ray Howell. Of special interest are views of numerous individual structures that were demolished during City of San Antonio urban renewal projects. Appointment required.
San Antonio Express-News Photograph Collection
The original negatives archived in this collection chronicle the history of San Antonio from 1950 to 1990 through the eyes of the San Antonio Express-New's staff photographers. Popular topics include civil-rights campaigns, political campaigns, and holiday celebrations. This collection is made up of approximately 800,000 images. Appointment required.
Due to the size of the collection, the online guide has been broken into nine pages by date: 1938-1959; 1960-1969; 1970-1975; 1977-1979; 1980-1981; January-June 1982; July-December 1982; January-June 1983; and July 1983-1984.
![[American Red Cross Women's Motor Corps volunteers] L-2737-K, San Antonio Light Photograph Collection, MS 359, UTSA Libraries Special Collections](http://lib.utsa.edu/files/default/Special%20Collections/SALight.jpg)
San Antonio Light Photograph Collection, 1924-1993
San Antonio Light photograph collection showcases original glass and film negatives made by the newspaper's staff photographers. The photographs depict people and events in San Antonio from 1924 to 1993. Also included are views of small towns in South and Central Texas. There are approximately 1,500,000 images in this collection. No appointment required.
![[N. St. Mary's Street looking south from E. Houston Street, San Antonio, Texas, 1940], Zintgraff Studios Photograph Collection, MS 355, UTSA Libraries Special Collections](http://lib.utsa.edu/files/default/Special%20Collections/Zintgraff.jpg)
Zintgraff Studios Photograph Collection, 1800-1987
Zintgraff Studio was a commercial photography firm in San Antonio that operated from the early 1930s to 1987. The collection includes original negatives and prints made by the Zintgraff Studio. Images in the collection include downtown street scenes, businesses, movie theaters, film stars, parks, schools, the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, and Fiesta San Antonio royalty. This collection comprises approximately 850,000 images. Appointment required.
![[Albina Hernandez with daughter and grandson], General Photograph Collection, MS 362, UTSA Libraries Special Collections](http://lib.utsa.edu/files/default/Special%20Collections/GeneralPhoto.jpg)
General Photograph Collection
Dating from the mid-19th century to the present, this collection documents Texas people, places, and events. Most photographs in this collection are copy negatives from originals owned by families, businesses, and organizations. The general collection also includes photographic copies of drawings, engravings, printed materials, and paintings. This collection comprises approximately 40,000 images. No appointment required.
